Reason #8 to Buy Local: Benefit from Local Owners’ Expertise

Local business owners and employees often possess a level of expertise and a passion for the products they sell that is unmatched by employees and managers of national chains. They also tend to have a greater interest in getting to know their customers—who are, after all, also their neighbors. Simply put, local owners and employees take a special pride in their trade.

Viewing News

As part of our ongoing “Shift to Local” campaign, this August we are encouraging Portland residents and visitors to shift a portion of their Clothing, Books, and Art spending to local, independent businesses.

As you are thinking about back to school shopping, think about which local businesses have the goods you need before visiting a chain store. Each dollar you spend at a local, independent business is three times as likely to stay in our community than when you spend that same dollar at a chain store.

To highlight one of the great local art options, we are featuring Adria Moynihan Rusk, owner of Still Life Studio. Recently Adria just opened her own art studio and immediately felt the impact of being a part of a local community. She shared, “the amount of support I received from friends, artists, family, and the community was incredible.” Adria’s hope is to attract people of all different ages, all different class levels (even if you’re a beginner!) to come check out the new art studio.

Still Life offers a variety of different art classes from painting, to collages, to silk screening. All of her classes are small and intimate, which gives the students the opportunity to engage with their instructor and make the most of each session. Adria was proud to share that one of her patrons who painted at her studio is now going to New York City for the summer to study art at the New York Academy of Art.

Local artists are part of what makes our community a vibrant, thriving place to live and work. By supporting local artists and studios like Still Life Studio, you’re not just helping to create a strong local economy, but also participating in keeping Portland a unique and beautiful community.

Portland also has a plethora of local clothing and book stores. We are fortunate to live in a community with a diversity of local options for back-to-school shopping. Let’s keep it that way by supporting them!

Consider shifting 10% of your clothing, books, and art this month to local, independent businesses to build community and entrepreneurship, while also keeping Portland independent!

SCOPE:
Portland Buy Local is accepting submissions for a graphic designer. The two-year fixed fee contract includes eight completed designs: two covers for the Portland Buy Local print directory, two seasonal posters (for a total four), and two event posters. PBL may request additional graphic work, as needed, at an hourly rate. Contract extends from February 2018 – March 2020.

SELECTION PROCESS:
To be considered, please submit the following by December 11th, 2017:

Resume with relevant experience and contact information

Work Samples – at least five and no more than 10 images of relevant graphic work compiled in pdf format

Hourly Rate for additional projects

References – at least two and up to four references (name, organization/affiliation, email, phone number)

A directory cover design will be needed at the end of March – please only apply if you will be available to begin work in February/March. The March deliverable will be the directory cover graphic, 5.5” x 8.5” in size.

TERMS:
The selected designer will enter into a two-year contract with Portland Buy Local to provide the described design work over the next two years. The two-year contract for design services will be compensated at $3200 ($400 per design) over the length of the contract, paid in quarterly installments. The selected designer will also receive a Portland Buy Local business membership for the length of the contract. Graphic work becomes property of the Portland Independent Business and Community Alliance (PIBCA).

GUIDELINES:
Open to Maine artists and Maine-based design firms (must reside in Maine at least six months/year)
Deadline: December 11th, 2017
E-mail submissions to: info@portlandbuylocal.org with the subject line “PBL Graphic Designer 2018”
Include name, address, and daytime phone number

Portland Buy Local’s tenth year has been a pivotal time of growth and capacity building, and there are many organizational, programmatic, and partnership developments to share.

Organizational Growth

In October of 2016, Portland Buy Local promoted Jenn Thompson, then part-time Program Manager, to full-time Executive Director, making Thompson the first full-time employee and first Executive Director in the organization’s history. This development has enabled a renewed focus on political advocacy, membership engagement, and program expansions.

Advocacy Forum

Portland Buy Local was awarded a Portland Economic Development Implementation Program grant for $2,500 from the Portland Development Corporation in order to host a community forum to explore policies that would strengthen Portland’s local economy. Portland’s business saw a 22% rise in commercial rents in 2015, and rising costs of rent is a top concern for 31% of Portland’s independent businesses. The goal of the forum is to engage the Portland community, including economic stakeholders, in a dialogue about protecting Portland’s local and independent business community as Portland faces an influx of chains and growth.

Guide to Portland’s Locally Owned Businesses & Organizations

Portland Buy Local’s annual publication has served as a resource for Portland’s community members, professionals, businesses, and tourists alike, and has proved a valuable tool for promoting PBL’s diverse members. Due to increased demand, distribution of the newly released guides has been increased to 25,000 copies, 5,000 more than were printed last year. Cover design by Chicken 3000.

Media Partnership Program

Launched in November of 2016, the Media Partnership Program encourages the use of locally owned media, provides PBL members with increased access to advertising, and promotes Portland Buy Local. Media Partnerships are open to media organizations and PBL members only, and participation is optional. Portland Buy Local has three Media Partners to date, and expects to grow the program in the coming year, expanding discounted advertising opportunities to PBL members.

Indie Biz Awards

The 2016 Indie Biz Awards was the most successful fundraiser and best attended event in Portland Buy Local’s history! $17,000 was raised with the help of 100 businesses who sponsored, donated to, and supported the event. Ten Indie Biz Awards were given to ten businesses, and the board-appointed Buy Local Champion award was presented to Mary Allen Lindemann. Produced by Knack Factory, ten videos featuring the 50 nominated businesses were debuted at the event, and later released online.

Online Member Forum

Portland Buy Local launched a member-only forum, where members can communicate directly with one another in a closed Facebook group. Members have used the platform to seek advice, collaborations, and services.

Connecting Members

Member mixers provide opportunities for our members and community supporters to build connections and collaborations with one another over a Sebago Brewing Company beer. Member mxers were held at Caravan beads, Portland Conservatory of Music, Maine Historical Society, Portland Yoga Kids, and Bayside Bowl.

Elevating Localism

Sponsored by Coffee By Design, Knack Factory produced five videos featuring member interviews highlighting Portland Buy Local’s mission, which reached over 20,000 viewers on social media. One of the videos aired on ESPN and reached 670,000 viewers.

National Representation

Executive Director Jenn Thompson was elected to the Board of the American Independent Business Alliance, the national organization which provides resources to and supports the work of local business alliances around the world. Thompson attended a conference in Bozeman, Montana with other Business Alliance Roundtable Development members, and attended and presented at the Local Sustainable Economies conference in Boston, Massachusetts, with local alliance leaders from around the world.

670,000 viewers were tuned in to an ESPN ad featuring Portland Buy Local during the The PBA League Elias Cup finals which were filmed at Bayside Bowl

Holiday Membership Promotion

This past November PBL published their annual Holiday Gift Guide, and Executive Director Jenn Thompson joined Knack Factory and Downeast Magazine on air at Maine Calling (in their most beloved show of the year) to discuss unique local gift ideas submitted by members. Portland Buy Local also purchased underwriting from MPBN on behalf of its members, encouraging Mainers to gift locally during the holiday season.

Directory Release Party

Portland Buy Local held the first ever volunteer distribution day to distribute the newly released 2016-17 Guides! Volunteers visited members of Portland Buy Local to deliver the guides, as well as Businesses Against Bigotry window clings.

Membership

Portland Buy Local has 445 members, the same amount of members as the previous year. PBL’s membership committee put a lot of effort into bringing new businesses into the organization in the previous year, and this past year has been focused on more closely engaging with members. The second annual Local Hero card was released, giving members the opportunity to redeem discounts at 60+ participating member businesses. In addition, three graphic posters were distributed to members, educating the public about local economic justice, and enabling members to further brand themselves as local and independent.

Community Education & Outreach

From Independents Week at the Portland Farmers’ Market to Downtown Worker Appreciation Day (a collaboration with Portland Downtown) to Rosemont Harvest in the Hood, Portland Buy Local has been all around town. A group of Board members met with the Portland Planning and Urban Development Department to ensure local business voices are heard as part of the Comprehensive Plan development. President Tony Cox met with South Portland and Cape Elizabeth Buy Local presidents to share insights and ideas, and PBL members got together to share staffing challenges and insights.

Portland Buy Local puts a significant amount of effort over the course of the year to educate the public about the importance of buying locally. This past year, PBL’s message reached the Bollard, MPBN, WMPG, Portland Press Herald, Dispatch Magazine, Channel 8, The Forecaster, West End News, Portland Downtown’s Guide, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You’ve probably also seen “BUY LOCAL” on the Time and Temp building several times throughout the year!

Treasurer’s Report

PIBCA will have net income in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 estimated at $5,000. (The fiscal year ends June 30.)

Total revenues for Fiscal year 2016/2017 will increase by $15,000, or 33% to $59,600 compared to $44,600 in fiscal year 2015/2016. Membership Dues were up 6.4% from the previous year, while earnings from the Indie Biz awards were up $7,740, or 80%. PBL also has a new earnings stream in fiscal year 2016/2017: ads sold in the new Member Directory accounted for $5,000 of the increase in revenues.

Portland Buy Local owes a big THANK-YOU to all its supporters!

Operating expenses are flat in 2016/2017 compared to the previous year. The higher costs of creating an executive director position, Indie Biz Awards event production costs, and membership promotions were offset by savings in outside marketing expenses.

September 28 – Why Local Community Forum – University of Southern Maine

October 12 – 2017 Indie Biz Awards – Portland House of Music & Events

History

The Portland Buy Local campaign was launched in July 2006 by Portland business owners and citizens hoping to counteract the rising influence of national chains through collective marketing and education. After receiving an enthusiastic response from both businesses and residents, the initial working group incorporated the Portland Independent Business and Community Alliance (PIBCA) in September 2006 and formed the organization’s first Board of Directors and Advisory Board.

In its ten-year history, Portland Buy Local has welcomed more than 750 business members, with a current membership of 445 business, nonprofit, and individual members. Members proudly utilize free Portland Buy Local window decals, posters, and countertop thank-you cards, while supporters wear t-shirts, display bumper stickers, and carry canvas shopping totes throughout the Greater Portland area. We have so much to celebrate after our first decade, thanks to you: our members.

2006

Established in July and incorporated in September.

Held a press conference with then Governor Baldacci to officially launch our campaign/organization.

The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) Executive Director declares “[PIBCA has] come out of the blocks faster than any other independent business alliance.”

Established the logo and those iconic stickers and t-shirts.

Established the first concentrated holiday campaign to encourage locally purchased gifts.

2007

Membership grows to 175 businesses and nonprofits.

Conducted first annual impact survey.

Launched the Buy Local Morning poster (a.k.a the “underwear” poster) – you can buy underwear locally!

2008

Won the first of multiple Portland Phoenix Best of Awards for Best Local Cause.

Established annual Indie Biz Awards, a fundraiser and celebration of the many diverse businesses Portland attracts and supports.

July of 2008, City of Portland proclaimed “Independent’s Week.”

First printed directory was published in July 2008.

Introduced semi-annual Downtown Worker Appreciation Day, a collaboration with Portland’s Downtown District; a celebration of those who choose to work every day in downtown Portland and a valuable promotional opportunity for Portland’s local businesses who are seeking to connect with those workers.

2009

Joined the national Shift Your Shopping Campaign, encouraging consumers to redirect 10% of their spending at national chains to locally owned merchants and service providers.

2010

Published the first print edition of the Portland Buy Local Directory, printing 15,000 copies to distribute to visitors and locals.

Won both Portland’s Best Local Cause and Portland’s Best Nonprofit in the Portland Phoenix Reader’s Poll.

2011

Launched completely revamped website with interactive member directory searchable by category, location, or name, allowing members to edit and maintain their listings.

Introduced the Buy Local Political Survey, inviting responses from candidates for office at the local and state level about issues most important to local entrepreneurs.

Distributed and publicized the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) study showing that $100 spent at locally owned businesses contributes an additional $58 to the local economy vs. $33 from national chains.

2012

Welcomed nationally renowned economist, attorney, entrepreneur, author, and activist Michael H. Shuman to speak with our members and the public.

Introduced wildly popular theme-specific posters highlighting scores of local options to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the end-of-year holidays, or a typical morning at home. Posters continue to be popular to this day.

Successfully transitioned the organization to the next generation of leadership after original Board of Directors reached their 6-year term limit.

2013

Grew membership to over 500 for the first time ever.

Introduced Member Mixers where various businesses host monthly gatherings for learning, networking, and celebrating as a community.

2014

Introduced rolling membership renewal, providing members the convenience and ease of online renewals on their schedule. Raised membership rates for the first time in 8 years to allow Portland Buy Local to expand initiatives for our members.

Established first stand-alone office at 306 Congress Street.

Introduced Brown Bag Lunch series, tackling a variety of topics to educate small business owners.

Hosted gubernatorial sessions for Portland Buy Local members to sit down and talk with candidates for Maine governor.

Represented Portland Buy Local members on city’s minimum wage committee. Surveyed all members about their thoughts on minimum wage and shared with city leaders and the media.

Join us Wednesday, February 22, for our next Portland Buy Local mixer! The mixer will be held at Maine Yoga Kids, 251 Danforth Street, from 5:30 – 7:00pm. Buy Local Member Mixers are informal networking and social events for members, friends, and anyone who would like to know more about Portland Buy Local. Come unwind and catch up with other indie biz enthusiasts, plus get updates on the latest happenings in the Buy Local scene. Portland Buy Local mixers are generously supported by Sebago Brewing Company.

The Portland Buy Local campaign was launched in July 2006 by Portland business owners and citizens hoping to counteract the rising influence of national chains through collective marketing and education. After receiving an enthusiastic response from both businesses and residents, the initial working group incorporated the Portland Independent Business and Community Alliance (PIBCA) in September 2006 and formed the organization’s first Board of Directors and Advisory Board.

In its ten-year history, PIBCA has welcomed more than 750 business members, with a current annual average of 400 members. Members proudly utilize free Portland Buy Local window decals, posters, and countertop thank-you cards, while supporters wear t-shirts, display bumper stickers, and carry canvas shopping totes throughout the Greater Portland area. We have so much to celebrate after our first decade, thanks to you: our members.

2006

Established in July and incorporated in September.

Held a press conference with then Governor Baldacci to officially launch our campaign/organization.

The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) Executive Director declares “[PIBCA has] come out of the blocks faster than any other independent business alliance.”

Established the logo and those iconic stickers and t-shirts.

Established the first concentrated holiday campaign to encourage locally purchased gifts.

2007

Membership grows to 175 businesses and nonprofits.

Conducted first annual impact survey.

Launched the Buy Local Morning poster (a.k.a the “underwear” poster) – you can buy underwear locally!

2008

Won the first of multiple Portland Phoenix Best of Awards for Best Local Cause.

Established annual Indie Biz Awards, a fundraiser and celebration of the many diverse businesses Portland attracts and supports.

July of 2008, City of Portland proclaimed “Independent’s Week.”

First printed directory was published in July 2008.

Introduced semi-annual Downtown Worker Appreciation Day, a collaboration with Portland’s Downtown District; a celebration of those who choose to work every day in downtown Portland and a valuable promotional opportunity for Portland’s local businesses who are seeking to connect with those workers.

2009

Joined the national Shift Your Shopping Campaign, encouraging consumers to redirect 10% of their spending at national chains to locally owned merchants and service providers.

2010

Published the first print edition of the Portland Buy Local Directory, printing 15,000 copies to distribute to visitors and locals.

Won both Portland’s Best Local Cause and Portland’s Best Nonprofit in the Portland Phoenix Reader’s Poll.

2011

Launched completely revamped website with interactive member directory searchable by category, location, or name, allowing members to edit and maintain their listings.

Introduced the Buy Local Political Survey, inviting responses from candidates for office at the local and state level about issues most important to local entrepreneurs.

Distributed and publicized the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) study showing that $100 spent at locally owned businesses contributes an additional $58 to the local economy vs. $33 from national chains.

2012

Welcomed nationally renowned economist, attorney, entrepreneur, author, and activist Michael H. Shuman to speak with our members and the public.

Introduced wildly popular theme-specific posters highlighting scores of local options to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the end-of-year holidays, or a typical morning at home. Posters continue to be popular to this day.

Successfully transitioned the organization to the next generation of leadership after original Board of Directors reached their 6-year term limit.

2013

Grew membership to over 500 for the first time ever.

Introduced Member Mixers where various businesses host monthly gatherings for learning, networking, and celebrating as a community.

2014

Introduced rolling membership renewal, providing members the convenience and ease of online renewals on their schedule. Raised membership rates for the first time in 8 years to allow Portland Buy Local to expand initiatives for our members.

Established first stand-alone office at 306 Congress Street.

Introduced Brown Bag Lunch series, tackling a variety of topics to educate small business owners.

Hosted gubernatorial sessions for Portland Buy Local members to sit down and talk with candidates for Maine governor.

Represented Portland Buy Local members on city’s minimum wage committee. Surveyed all members about their thoughts on minimum wage and shared with city leaders and the media.

2015 – 2016

Portland Buy Local has really spread our wings since we were born ten years ago. We have interacted with even more of our members this year than ever before (and as the membership is growing even bigger that’s saying a lot!); we have participated in more community events and put on more of our own; and we have worked hard to promote our members and their viewpoints in a number of different spheres. We also drafted a strategic plan, outlining our vision for the future and how we’re planning to get there.

Some of the highlights from our ninth year include:

Community Leadership

From meeting with Portland’s new mayor to joining the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce to writing an op-ed in the Portland Press Herald against the proposed CVS on Forest Avenue, Portland Buy Local has been working hard to raise the visibility and represent the viewpoints of local businesses here in our community. While our membership was split on the minimum wage proposal last fall, we participated in the Mayor’s Minimum Wage Task Force, and surveyed our members and released their viewpoints for discussion.

In an effort to better understand how policy shapes local economies, Portland Buy Local has worked with local business owners, community organizers, and researchers at the Muskie School of Public Policy to identify policies that Portland might consider adopting. These findings, combined with research from the Institute for Local Self Reliance, are the foundation of case studies that are currently being conducted.

Membership Development and Outreach: Portland Buy Local now has 450 members, an increase of 26% from last year. It’s exciting to enter our 10th year in such a strong position. Our Program Manager, Jenn Thompson, and our membership committee have put a lot of effort into bringing new businesses into the organization and to connecting with as many of our existing members as possible. We also launched our ‘Buy Local Hero’ card this year, which members use to claim discounts at 43 of our diverse member businesses.

Portland Buy Local Organized Events: The 2015 Indie Biz Awards was our most successful community building and fundraising event ever! More than 200 people attended to celebrate local business here in Portland and we had more sponsors supporting the Buy Local cause than ever before. Planning for the 2016 event is already underway; mark your calendars for October 6, 2016 at the Portland House of Music!

We also organized five Brown Bag Lunch Forums, which more than 100people came together to focus on:

How to Wear all the Hats: Being CEO, CFO and CMO All in One – Discussed financial management, marketing, partnerships, legal structure and more.

ADA for Businesses: Covered ADA compliance and what businesses can do (and in some cases, are legally required to do) to accommodate customers, employees, and clients with disabilities.

Social Media: Using social media to market your local business.

We continued our longstanding Buy Local Member Mixer series, sponsored by Sebago Brewing Company, with events at Peloton Labs, The Sunrise Guide, and New England Distilling.

Community Outreach: From the Farmers’ Market to Downtown Worker Appreciation Day to Rosemont Harvest in the Hood, Portland Buy Local has been all around town. President Tony Cox represented Portland Buy Local on a panel at Creative Portland’s The Challenge of Change: Are We Loving Portland to Death event to share our member’s perspectives on rising commercial rents, minimum wage and more, plus we exhibited at the event. More than 200 community members came together to talk about the vision for Portland’s future.

Other places you’ve run into Portland Buy Local this year include:

Boat show

East End Holiday Stroll

Old Port Festival

The Portland Farmer’s Market

Frontline at CVB

Educational Outreach: Portland Buy Local puts a significant amount of effort over the course of the year to educate the public about the importance of buying locally. This past year, we’ve reached more than 20,000 people with our Portland Buy Local directories and were present in more tourist oriented locations, including the Portland Jetport, Gateway Terminal and area hotels. We’ve also discussed local economic ethics in the Bollard, MPBN, WMPG, Portland Press Herald, Dispatch Magazine, Channel 8, The Forecaster, West End News, Portland Downtown’s Guide, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You’ve probably also seen “BUY LOCAL” on the Time and Temp building several times throughout the year!

60,000 website page views, 18,000 new users (as defined by Google), improved engagement by increasing time on site by 16% year over year to 2:15

Treasurer’s Report:

In the beginning of this fiscal year, the board approved a budget of $56,677 with the expectation that the organization would increase spending in certain areas to grow membership and use up to $10,277 in savings.

For the fiscal year of July 1, 2015 through June 3, 2016 we had an income of $42,867.89 with $33,046.46 coming from membership dues and $9,829.68 from the Indie Biz awards. During the same period we had $48,000.00 in expenses for a net operating loss of $5,932.82.

In comparison for the fiscal year of July 1, 2014 through June 3, 2015 we had a total income of $41,873.59 and total expenses of 38,869.42 for a surplus of $3,004.

The rise in expenses affected all areas of our operations with Program Manager compensation and the board’s decision to produce locally sourced tote bags being noteable line items.